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arXiv · 0707.0283

What SWIFT has taught us about X-ray flashes and long-duration gamma-ray bursts

A. De Rujula
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Abstract

Recent data gathered and triggered by the SWIFT satellite have greatly improved our knowledge of long-duration gamma ray bursts (GRBs) and X-ray flashes (XRFs). This is particularly the case for the X-ray data at all times, and for UV and optical data at very early times. I show that the optical and X-ray observations are in excellent agreement with the predictions of the "cannonball" model of GRBs and XRFs. Elementary physics and just two mechanisms underlie these predictions: inverse Compton scattering and synchrotron radiation, generally dominant at early and late times, respectively. I put this result in its proper context and dedicate the paper to those who planed, built and operate SWIFT, a true flying jewel.

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A. De Rujula. 2007-07-02. What SWIFT has taught us about X-ray flashes and long-duration gamma-ray bursts. https://arxiv.org/abs/0707.0283

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